Staying Alive Can Be Painful

A Euthanasia Clinic would provide a place where a Compassionate Law could be implemented allowing people to choose the time, place, and manner of their own death while in the company and companionship of their friends, family, and loved ones.

The Cost of Staying Alive is Going UP In 2002, 12 percent of people age 55-64 were uninsured. *They will have to spend their own money for medical care. Or rely on the government.* Older Americans pay 21 percent of their health care costs out of pocket. *Those who are uninsured will pay a very much greater amount. Or none at all.* Health care costs are increasing rapidly. The number of Americans without health insurance has reached a new record high. And the rise in the cost of health care was 3 times the rise in the rate of wages. (August 29, 2006) *What was a bad situation is going to get worse. Emergency rooms full of the elderly uninsured. Without living wills or relatives.* *Recent reports indicate that the cost of health care has increased at 3 times the increase in the cost of living.*
The Benefits of Staying Alive are Going DOWN Chronic diseases are long-term illnesses that are rarely cured. *Chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes are among the most common* Chronic health conditions negatively affect quality and quantity of life. *Incontinence, continued ill health, and dread are often side effects of being 'cured'* Heart disease and Cancer are the top two leading causes of death among people age 65 and over. Although the rate of late onset diabetes is increasing very rapidly
The Reasons for Staying Alive are Becoming Less Clear Nearly 20% of elderly American men live alone *Now that you're retired and at home all the time, your wife can't stand being around you* Suicide rates increase with age and are very high among those 65 years and older *Waking up each day to loneliness* Older adults who are suicidal are more likely to be suffering from physical illnesses *And a Chronic illness* Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death for all U.S. men *Sick and tired* People who survive to age 65 can expect to live an average of nearly 18 more years *Eighteen more years to look forward to . . .*
There is This Option Residence in a nursing home is an alternative to long-term care provided in one’s home. *Not a particularly attractive alternative though* The number of current nursing home residents age 65 and over increased to 1.5 million. *But at least there will be someone in the bed next to yours*

As more and more people get older, and as they are denied dignified alternative options, many will insist on using all available means to stay alive. Or perhaps they will make no decisions about their own end of life experience and allow attending physicians to make those decisions for them. As a result, more and more people will be sustained on life support mechanisms and decisions will have to be made, without their input or consent, regarding 'pulling the plug'.

While for some this will result in the elimination of life sustaining oxygen, without replacing it with inert Helium or Nitrogen to dispel the build up of anxiety causing Carbon Dioxide, for others it will mean forced starvation over several weeks with attendant palliative care to ensure life is sustained for as long as possible.

These are not desirable end of life experiences. They actually sound like torture. Yet they are condoned while Euthanasia is condemned.

Society will argue endlessly over each case while loved ones are left to suffer and pay for the legal and medical bills.

A Compassionate Law and a Euthanasia Clinic could help make those end of life decisions easier by allowing people to choose the time, place, and manner of their own peaceful and painless death.

Those about whom we care the most may be subject to legal prosecution if they choose to be with us when we need them most.

A dying person does not need the additional worry that their manner of death might cause felony charges to be brought against their loved ones.

A Compassionate Law would make it possible for a person to be in close physical contact with the dying at the time of death and not be subject to legal prosecution afterwards.